Latest Blogs
Dec 11, 2023
Importance of a Will
A Will is a formal written direction controlling the disposition of property at death. After creating a Will, there are formal requirements you must follow to change or modify your Will. A Will’s terms cannot be changed by simply writing something or crossing something out after the Will is executed. In fact, writing on the Will after its execution may invalidate part of the Will or all of it. There are three ways to handle major life events that require updates to your Will:
Dec 6, 2023
Common Mistake to Avoid with your Estate Plan
Many people unknowingly make costly mistakes during the estate planning process. It is crucial to understand the potential risks and pitfalls in order to avoid these errors. Below are 5 common mistakes that you should avoid with your estate plan.
Nov 29, 2023
Advanced Medical Directives
Florida and federal law gives every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or treatment to accept, reject, or discontinue. If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment or you wish to name someone to make those health care decisions for you, you have the right to make those desires known to your doctor, health care provider, and the hospital.
Nov 21, 2023
How long does Probate take in Florida?
When a loved one dies who lived in or owned property in Florida, the timeline for settling their financial and legal affairs can be measured in weeks, months, or years. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, probate in Florida takes anywhere from one month to 18 months or more.
Nov 17, 2023
The Probate Process
In planning your estate, more important than minimizing probate is minimizing the real issues that can make probate difficult, such as lawsuits by heirs. Many states have simplified or streamlined their probate processes over the years. However, Florida is a state that requires you to use an attorney for a probate proceeding.
Nov 13, 2023
Why do you need an Estate Plan?
Estate planning is a process involving the counsel of professional advisors who are familiar with your goals and concerns, your assets and how they are owned, and your family structure. Estate Planning covers the transfer of property at death as well as a variety of other personal matters and may or may not involve tax planning.
Oct 26, 2023
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the period after you fall behind in payments, but before foreclosure can officially start the process is called the “pre-foreclosure” stage. During this time, the servicer can charge you various fees like late charges and inspection fees. Foreclosure cannot start until you are more than 120 days past due
Oct 23, 2023
O-1 Visa vs EB-1 Visa
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,business or athletics, or who demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.
Oct 18, 2023
USCIS Exempts Biometric Service Fees for all Form I-539 Applicants
U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is exempting the biometric services fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Starting October 1st, 2023, USCIS is exempting the $85.00 biometric service fee as part of the application process for Form I-539.
Oct 16, 2023
Extension and Redesignation of Venezuela for TPS
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eighteen (18) months. Security Mayorkas extended Venezuela TPS due to the increased instability and lack of safety due to enduring humanitarian, security, political and environmental conditions.
Oct 2, 2023
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
This EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is known as EB-5 for the name of the employment based fifth preference visa that participants receive. On March 15, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. This Act establishes a special fund known as the EB-5 Integrity Fund. USCIS administers the EB-5 Program. Under this program investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under twenty-one (21)) are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence
Oct 2, 2023
Petitioning for a Green Card as a Widow(er)
Widows or widowers who were married to a U.S. citizen at the time of death of the citizen may apply for a Green Card if the deceased U.S. citizen spouse filed Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for them before passing away. USCIS will treat the previously filed Form I-130 as a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.
Sep 20, 2023
Humanitarian Reinstatement
You may only request Humanitarian Reinstatement if you are the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-130, and your petitioner relative has died. USCIS cannot grant Humanitarian Reinstatement if the petitioner died while the petition was still pending. Most immediate relatives and family-based preference immigrants are required to have form I-864 Affidavit of Support.
Sep 19, 2023
10 Steps to Naturalization
Depending on your situation, there may be different ways to obtain Naturalization or Citizenship.
Naturalization: is the process by which a U.S. citizen is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Sep 11, 2023
Asylum
Asylum is a form of protection which allows individuals to remain in the United States instead of being deported to a country where he or she fears persecution or harm. Those who are granted asylum are called asylees. You may only apply for asylum if you are in the U.S. physically and not a citizen.